Oct 1st 2017 - The Northern Border Terrier Club Open Show

Show Critique:

I had the most enjoyable experience from the first to last minute of my judging day, the Northern hospitality from all was exceptional and I thank the Committee for giving me such a great opportunity. The quality and depth in some classes was a real treat for me to discover on judging ‘up north’ for the first time. Thanks to my stewards who helped keep everything managed practically perfect throughout the day. I enjoyed the lunch and my gift is displayed in pride of place on the mantle. Thank you all for trusting me to take on such a wonderful show.
A couple of untidy mouths, some unclean teeth but bites generally good. Found a dog and a bitch with kinks and there were a few thin pelts. Overall however I found good quality in the majority, good heads and expressions are essential but I especially like to see a dog moving forwards with drive, not pulling but setting off to get somewhere. I believe a working terrier needs good tight feet and thick pads to be able to meet the standard, most feet were good although I observed some long claws which do not help.

Junior - Dog

Dark grizzle and tan jacket on this well presented and shown youngster, I liked his dark eye and strong muzzle. Good reach of neck into well placed shoulder, narrow bodied with good rear angulation, he moved out well coming and going.

Limit - Dog

Slightly smaller type shown in full coat, under which he boasts a thick pelt. Short strong muzzle with keen dark eye and neat ears give him a pleasing otter like head. He moved with drive to win the class but for some reason didn’t match this in the challenge?

Open - Dog

Many outstanding features on this grizzle dog including his masculine head, good reach of neck and strong loin a fit and well boned dog who moved with drive and purpose. He has a good pelt but his coat was just coming through so was restricted to reserve best dog today.

Minor Puppy - Bitch

Really rate this super young lady with so much type and quality, she was unlucky to meet a more mature puppy of equal virtue today. Beautiful head and expression with bodylines to match, harsh double jacket and turned out to perfection. Her rear angulation is spot on allowing her to drive out well and take this class, looking forwards to seeing her develop.

Puppy - Bitch

Having thought so highly about the minor puppy, I was pleasantly surprised that another high quality puppy entered the ring. Loved her keen expression and dark eye, her bodyline and super well laid back rib impressed. Her tight cat like feet were the best of the day and she moved with confidence and drive at every stage. Was pleased to credit her overall quality with reserve best bitch as well as best puppy, which was hard won given the quality of the other class winners.

Her fitness and condition was such that she started from a strong position from the moment she entered the ring. Strong but feminine head with appealing expression. Good reach of neck and nice topline just falling away at the rump. To me her hindquarters are the definition of racey, not at all weak, well boned and muscled which would in my opinion allow her to be active all day.

The tightest of thick harsh coat and good pelt on this feminine bitch who was not exaggerated in any department. Well placed neat ears held close to her head, liked her shoulder and narrow front moved well coming and going to win the class on front movement.

Limit - Bitch

A real pleasure to go over and discover a well laid back rib under her full but harsh double jacket, slightly longer in body than some she maintained her topline when on the move. Dark nose and eyes completed what was for me a super otter like head which was the best of the day. Tight cat like feet and thick pads are necessary attributes for a day’s activity, whatever the ‘terrier terrain’ and she excelled here too. This combined with her fitness and condition allowed her to move with drive, never putting a foot wrong, it gave me great pleasure to award her Best in Show.

Veteran - Dog or Bitch

Was a real pleasure to go over this strong grizzle 8 year old dog in super coat and condition. His masculine head and strong muzzle complemented by neat V shaped ears and dark eye. Good shoulder placement, strongest of loins and super set on tail, his rear angulation and fitness allowed him to stride out, he occasionally lost his outline on the move, but this didn’t detract from his overall outstanding quality for me. Was pleased to award him best Dog, best Veteran and Reserve BIS as well as Best Opposite Sex.

Would hardly believe this bitch is 10 years old and she remains a real quality lady, with super head and expression, good topline with well set on tail, preferred the front movement of my winner today buts she pushed him hard in every department.